A mixture of students and former students at Ruskin founded the Plebs' League in November 1908, also launching the Plebs' Magazine.[2] In the first issue of the Plebs, dated February 1909, Ablett contributed an article on the need for independent working class education.[3] The League ran classes teaching Marxist principles and later syndicalist ideas.[4]

During 1909, student agitation for Marxism continued at Ruskin. The students were supported by the Principal, Dennis Hird, and when he was dismissed the students went on strike, refusing to attend classes. The rebels formed the Central Labour College, which worked closely with the Plebs' League.[4]